USA TODAY Develops Social Media Team

In a notice sent earlier this week, Wendy Matney, Director of Digital Marketing for USA TODAY, announced the development of a social media team and the addition of a staff member to the Digital Marketing team.

Brian Dresher is now Manager, Social Media and Digital Partnerships. In this role, Brian continues to be responsible for social media training and will focus on off-site social media initiatives and strategic digital partnerships, cultivating new partnerships and leveraging existing relationships across the company. Brian was formerly Online Marketing Manager for USATODAY.com.

Alexandra Nicholson joins the Digital Marketing team as Manager, Social Media Strategist for USA TODAY. Her focus is on research & development, strategy, social media as a public relations platform and on-site efforts, working closely with Editorial to integrate social media on-site and leverage social media for their off-site initiatives. Alex moves over from her role as Communications Manager within the Communications and Event Marketing group. Public and media relations for USA TODAY remain managed by Heidi Zimmerman, Director of Communications, and Elga Maye, Senior Communications Coordinator.

Additional information on both Brian and Alex’s new positions can be found in the “About the Social Media Lounge” tab. Both Brian and Alex will continue to serve as the voice of USA TODAY in various ways including the @USATMediaLounge corporate Twitter handle, as part of the social networking team responsible for USA TODAY’s corporate Facebook presence, through this online destination and with speaking and networking engagements around the country centered around social media.